Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
636. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm that funding will be put in place to enable the new dental hospital to be built in Curaheen, Cork, given planning permission was granted for this project over three years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30600/23]
View answerThe funding and delivery of capital projects is subject to the successful completion of the various approval stages, in line with the new lifecycle approach of the Public Spending Code (PSC), which was updated in 2019. The PSC is designed to ensure that investment decisions are underpinned by a clear policy rationale, and that costs are well understood.
These are defined processes which all Departments and agencies are subject to and must follow to ensure that Government, as the approving authority for all major projects, can be satisfied that the project is the best means to achieve a policy goal and that we achieve maximum value for money for the taxpayer. The specific requirements that must be included in a business case at the various stages of the PSC are detailed at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/public-spending-code/
The Cork Dental School and Hospital has two distinct remits: the Dental School for undergraduate and postgraduate education of future dental professionals and the hospital or service element which provides dental care both privately as well as under a HSE service level agreement.
The Dental School is under the direct remit of the Higher Education Authority via University College Cork as the employment and governing body and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science leads on and funds education-related activities.
Regarding the hospital function, the HSE is responsible for the planning and delivery of health services and management of healthcare infrastructure. Each year the HSE must develop a National Service Plan and Capital Plan upon receipt of notification from Department of Health of annual allocations set in the budget and priorities set out in the Letter of Determination. These plans must then be submitted for review and approval by the Minister for Health. Health capital investment decisions are informed by Programme for Government priorities, sectoral policies, strategies and reform initiatives as set out in Sláintecare.
Therefore, the Cork Dental School and Hospital must engage with the Higher Education Authority/Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the HSE, in the context of the requirements of the Public Spending Code, to explore the possible contribution of public funding to a new dental hospital building at Curaheen.
